Welcome to our white paper series at the Chair of Innovation Management and Innovation Economics. Here we offer first analyses and compact insights on topics that are relevant for our research and our partners. The expertise and research of our staff is thereby prepared for valuable insights and initial findings for the interested public.
Our white papers cover a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship, innovation, and relevant trends. They provide accessible information and insights for interested readers who want to learn more about our topics outside of our scientific publications. A unique feature of our white paper series is that we want to give students as early as undergraduate the opportunity to be a white paper author.
By opening our series to student authors, we hope to foster a research and work culture that supports the potential and development of young scientists. Our Senior Scientists accompany students in their research and writing processes, providing valuable mentoring and practical assistance; at the same time, they ensure our quality standards!
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Posselt and Dr. Kevin Reuther take the lead in supervising and publishing our white paper series at the chair.
Current Feature
Not All Entrepreneurs Want to Get Rich:
Rethinking Motivation in Startup Support- Not every founder aims to scale and exit – many pursue personal, social, or creative goals instead. This White Paper challenges common assumptions in startup support and introduces a nuanced typology of entrepreneurial motivation. The call: rethink success metrics and design more inclusive support systems focused on long-term survival.
- Reuther, K., & Dahle, Y. (2025). #08 – Not All Entrepreneurs Want to Get Rich: Rethinking Motivation in Startup Support. In K. Reuther & T. Posselt (Eds.), Whitepaper Series. Data-Driven and Impact-Oriented Entrepreneurship Research Unit, Leipzig University.
Profit, purpose, passion — whatever the motive, none of it matters if the venture doesn’t survive.
Kevin Reuther